Canada Visa Wait

Latest IRCC update: October 21, 2026

How long will your Canada application take?

Current processing times for visas, permits, permanent residence and citizenship, explained in plain English, with whether each wait is getting longer or shorter.

Popular:Visitor visa: IndiaVisitor visa: NigeriaVisitor visa: PhilippinesExpress EntrySpousal sponsorshipWork permit extensionCitizenship

Visitor visa waits for popular countries

IRCC's latest figures. Arrows compare with about three months earlier.

All countries
India29 daysabout 4 weeks▲ 8 days longerNigeria106 daysabout 3½ months▲ 43 days longerPhilippines25 daysabout 3½ weeks▲ 9 days longerPakistan63 daysabout 2 months▲ 23 days longerBangladesh37 daysabout 5½ weeks● SteadyGhana86 daysabout 3 months▲ 59 days longerKenya124 daysabout 4 months▲ 45 days longerCameroon48 daysabout 7 weeks▼ 11 days shorterIran79 daysabout 2½ months▼ 69 days shorterChina (People’s Republic of)42 daysabout 6 weeks▲ 14 days longerVietnam40 daysabout 5½ weeks▲ 12 days longerMexico16 daysabout 2½ weeks▼ 17 days shorter

Visas and permits by type

The typical (middle) figure across all countries. Choose one to find your country.

Typical waitVisitor visa38 daysMiddle of 170 countries● SteadyTypical waitStudy permit42 daysMiddle of 92 countries▲ 14 days longerTypical waitWork permit49 daysMiddle of 61 countries▲ 7 days longerTypical waitSuper visa60 daysMiddle of 38 countries▲ 11 days longer

Permanent residence and citizenship

IRCC's estimates for a new application.

All programs
Express EntryCanadian Experience Classabout 6 monthsabout 53,900 waiting● SteadyExpress EntryFederal Skilled Workerabout 7 monthsabout 58,300 waiting● SteadyExpress EntryProvincial Nominee Program (Express Entry)about 7 monthsabout 13,100 waiting● SteadyFamily sponsorshipSpousal sponsorship, inland (partner in Canada)about 26 monthsabout 55,600 waiting · Quebec: about 32 months● SteadyFamily sponsorshipSpousal sponsorship, outland (partner outside Canada)about 18 monthsabout 65,600 waiting · Quebec: about 33 months● SteadyFamily sponsorshipParents and grandparents sponsorshipabout 28 monthsabout 35,600 waiting · Quebec: about 63 months● SteadyProvinces and QuebecProvincial Nominee Program (outside Express Entry)about 13 monthsabout 96,500 waiting▲ 1 month longerProvinces and QuebecAtlantic Immigration Programabout 26 monthsabout 11,500 waiting● SteadyCitizenshipBecoming a citizenabout 12 monthsabout 322,700 waiting● Steady

Already in Canada

Extensions and other applications made from inside Canada.

All of them
Work permit extension12 weeksabout 200,100 waiting● SteadyStudy permit extension8 weeksabout 27,800 waiting● SteadyVisitor record341 daysabout 11 months▲ 127 days longerVisitor visa from inside Canada12 days▼ 17 days shorterPR card30 daysabout 4½ weeks▼ 11 days shorter

Biggest changes in the latest update

Visas and permits, compared with IRCC's update of October 14, 2026.

▼ Shorter waits

  1. EgyptWork permit17 → 8 weeks
  2. SingaporeWork permit16 → 9 weeks
  3. TogoVisitor visa95 → 48 days
  4. SingaporeStudy permit15 → 9 weeks
  5. MalawiVisitor visa238 → 198 days

▲ Longer waits

  1. EswatiniVisitor visa158 → 804 days
  2. IranStudy permit16 → 21 weeks
  3. BangladeshWork permit44 → 49 weeks
  4. China (People’s Republic of)Study permit6 → 8 weeks
  5. GermanyStudy permit3 → 5 weeks

How to read these numbers

1

Visas and permits look back

For visas and permits applied for from outside Canada, IRCC's figure is how long it took to decide 8 in 10 recent applications. The rest took longer.

2

PR and citizenship look ahead

For permanent residence, citizenship and extensions, IRCC estimates how long a new application would take, based on how many people are already waiting.

3

Figures change often

IRCC revises most figures every week, and permanent residence and citizenship estimates about once a month. Check IRCC's official tool before you make plans.

Common questions

How long does a Canada visitor visa take?

It depends on where you apply from. In IRCC's update of October 21, 2026, the typical figure across 170 countries was 38 days. The shortest was Palestine (Gaza) (1 day) and the longest was Eswatini (804 days). Choose your country above to see its figure and trend.

What do IRCC processing times measure?

For visas and permits applied for from outside Canada, the figure is how long IRCC took to decide 8 in 10 recent applications, counted from the day it had a complete application. For permanent residence, citizenship and extensions, it is IRCC's estimate for a new application, based on how many people are already waiting.

How often does IRCC update processing times?

Most figures are revised every week. Estimates for permanent residence and citizenship are revised about once a month. The newest figures here are from October 21, 2026.

Are Canada's processing times getting faster?

Compared with about three months ago, visitor visa figures are shorter for 61 countries, longer for 82 and about the same for 24. The typical figure went from 36 days to 38 days.

Is this an official government website?

No. Canada Visa Wait is an independent site and is not affiliated with the Government of Canada. The figures are IRCC's own. Before you rely on a date, check IRCC's official processing-times tool.

Something on your mind?

Spotted a figure that doesn't match IRCC's tool, a page that isn't working, or something you'd like the site to show? Tell us here. Every message is read.

Before you write. This form sends your name, your email address and your message to us by email, so we can reply. We can't check on individual applications or give immigration advice, so please don't include application numbers, UCI or passport details.

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